Hamas Agrees to Egypt, Qatar’s Gaza Ceasefire Proposal: Reports

Jerusalem: The Palestinian group Hamas on Monday agreed to a ceasefire proposal in the ongoing seven-month-long war with Israel in Gaza. The decision came after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to residents in parts of Rafah, a city that has been sheltering over a million displaced people.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh conveyed the group’s acceptance of the ceasefire proposal to Qatari and Egyptian mediators. However, specific details of the accord have not been disclosed. Notably, there has been no immediate response from Israel regarding the agreement.

If implemented, this would mark the first truce since the week-long pause in fighting last November. The negotiations have faced challenges over the months, with previous attempts failing to secure a lasting ceasefire or facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The talks in Cairo had hit a potential roadblock when Hamas official Izzat al-Rashiq warned that any Israeli military operation in Rafah could jeopardize the truce negotiations. Rafah, situated on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip, has become a refuge for approximately half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, who have been displaced due to Israel’s prolonged assault.